Next up, Palace host Southampton at Selhurst Park so as part of our build up to the game we had a chat with the team at fan site St Mary’s Musings to find out about their season so far and thoughts ahead of the game.
Q. What were you hopes and dreams for the season before a ball was kicked?
It is always hard to tell with the Saints. As reported throughout the last few summers, Southampton are infamous for selling on their players for big money and drafting in cheap foreign imports and you can never really know how that will pan out. Personally, I was hoping Saints would have a decent run in the Europa League, perhaps a good cup run and finish in the top half of the table. The former did not happen, Liverpool just thumped us in the Capital One Cup 6-1 and I am not convinced about the latter!
Q. How do you rate the squad that has been put together for this season?
The squad has more depth, but not as much quality. The problem Southampton have suffered for the last few years is a lack of cutting edge going forward. Last season we had the equal best (along with Chelsea) defence in the league and we relied on a good defensive record.
The summer saw us lose three key defensive components in Morgan Schneiderlin, former Palace man Nathaniel Clyne and Toby Alderweireld and we simply have not replaced them with players as good as them. Victor Wanyama looks lost without Schneiderlin and it is no coincidence that the defensive solidity has increased at Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur since the aforementioned three left for those clubs.
Q. Are Saints fans still happy with the way things are going under Ronald Koeman?
I can only speak for myself, but it will take a lot for me to start questioning Koeman and the direction we are heading. The frustration of losing our players can only be leveled at the board, not Ron, and this has been the biggest player in Southampton starting to go off the boil a little bit. However, there are a few Saints fans who have started questioning some of Koeman’s selections and tactical decisions of late. I think that is the typical case of fans wanting a scapegoat when things are going against us.
Q. The injury to Fraser Forster has been a big loss to you but what kind of impact if any has it had on the team?
Forster was on course for keeping the most clean sheets last season before suffering his injury against Burnley. We have definitely missed him and his subsequent replacements in Kelvin Davis and Paulo Gazzaniga do not appear to look anywhere near able nor comfortable as big Fraser. Maarten Stekelenburg has been an okay replacement, he has not done a whole lot wrong while it is hard to find an example where he has played well. The return of Forster when it happens will be a big boost.
Q. There are several examples of teams in the Premier League reluctant to blood young players but Southampton have bucked the trend a little. Who is the next big thing from the production line?
This was the case for Southampton but since Mauricio Pochettino left we have seen less and less young, academy players breaking into the side. A lot of Saints fans will point to James Ward-Prowse or Matt Targett as the new ‘big things’ and they have appeared for the first team on plenty of occasions. I would say either Harrison Reid or Ryan Seager look the best unknown quantities equipped to appear for Southampton in the future.
Q. Are there any particular needs that you would like addresses in the January transfer window?
I stress that this is just my opinion but get rid of Dusan Tadic and Victor Wanyama. Cash in on them while other clubs still think they are good players. We need a quick striker, a creative midfielder and a mobile, physical presence in midfield to either help Victor or replace him. Our biggest problem is a lack of goals so we really need to invest in attacking options.
Q. Who do you think will win the domestic competitions this season – Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup?
Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Q. Name a Saints player that Palace should be wary of and a Palace player that Saints should be wary of and why?
Sadio Mane is always worth being wary of as if he is on his game, he can tear any defence apart but he has been a bit quiet lately.
As for Palace, I think Yannick Bolasie is the unpredictable element who can really change a game. Jason Puncheon is also dangerous in the Premier League, while I think Yoann Cabaye is pure class. Why didn’t we attempt signing him in the summer?!
Q. Your prediction?
Selhurst Park has been kind to Saints on their travels in recent times but I feel the Palace of today is so much different to that under Tony Pulis and Ian Holloway. I think it will be a hard-fought point for the Saints in a 1-1 draw.
Q. And finally, please tell us about any projects that you are currently working on or anything else that you wish to promote.
Please visit our site for our take on Saints’ trip to Palace this weekend.
